Budget Wins!

This week, the Joint Committee on Finance voted on several provisions of the budget, including the Capital Budget, which provides funding for building projects throughout the state. As a result of JFC's vote, our community will be the beneficiary of a project that will update the Wausau Service Center. 

At the request of the Department of Natural Resources, nearly $1.275 million will be allocated to an addition and remodel of the current Wausau Service Center, which is located near Rib Mountain State Park. The current facility supports air management, conservation wardens, forestry, water-related programs and wildlife programs. The goal of the renovation project is to improve service to the public and provide more functional work space for employees. 

In addition to the new building project in our area, I am pleased to announce that Wisconsin's entire child welfare system will be receiving much needed assistance in the upcoming biennium! After several months of fighting for funding, the budget motion that I authored to increase funding for the Children and Families Allocation was accepted by JFC. 

The motion will increase funding by $25.5 million annually, which will assist counties in funding case worker and supervisor positions and other out-of-home care costs. With the opioid crisis increasing the number of children in out-of-home care, and increasing the duration of their stay in out-of-home care, it is critical that we invest in services for these vulnerable youth. 

If you would like to hear more about the final budget document that JFC has presented to the Assembly and Senate, click here to listen to the highlights!  

Office Hours!

My monthly office hours are scheduled for Monday, June 24th from 10AM to noon. They will be held at Biggby Coffee on Bridge Street, so stop by to have a cup of coffee and chat about your thoughts and concerns related to state government! 

The Speaker's Task Force on Adoption announced its first hearing, which will take place in Madison next week! On Wednesday, the committee will hear from the Department of Children and Families, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, and the Coalition for Children, Youth and Families.

Following this informational hearing, the committee will host public hearings around the state, where members of the public can speak about their experiences with Wisconsin's adoption system. Locations are pending, so stay tuned for more information! You can view the committee's web page for more information, or to share your story, here.